Fluid-tractor.



J. M. KING. FLUID TRAGTOR. APPLICATION FILED APK.29. 191a.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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J. M. KING.

FLUID TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29, 191s.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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JOSEPH MARION KING, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

FLUID-TRACTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

Application filed April 29, 1913. Serial No. 764,351.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH MARION KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Tractors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention provides a device that utilizes steam, the gaseous products of combustion in an engine, or other fluids entering the device under pressure, as its motive medium, and it particularly is adapted for use in association with the exhaust-conduits of internal-combustion engines.

Some of the principles of fluid action in volved in this device are similar to those involved in my applications for patents on fluidtractors, filed April 27, 1912, Serial Number 693,566, and July 31, 1912, Serial Number 712,468. In this device successive lapses of volume or pressure of the motive medium within the device, the inductive action characteristic of some forms of eiectors, and a vacuum-chamber are employed to produce a substantially continuous How of liquid. Further, the action of the device is such that it increases the etliciency of an engine with which it is associated.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a device of the kind indicated characterized by simplicity of construction and a comparatively small number of parts, and to provide a device in which the motive medium is mixed thoroughly with liquid being drawn and subsidences of volume or pressure within the device are obtained and contributed to the drawing power of the device, and in which the valves may easily be placed and adjusted and from which they may readily be removed.

hen read in connection with the description herein, the details of construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein an embodiment of the invention susceptible of use in association with an internal-combustion engine is disclosed, for purposes of illustration.

Nhile a preferred form of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that it is not the intention to be limited necessarily to the precise delineation herein in interpretation of claims hereinafter, as it is obvious that the parts can be variously formed and organized, within the limits prescribed by the claims, and adapted for use otherwise than with internal-combustion engines, without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention.

Like reference-characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawings, of which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view. on the line 22, Fig. 1; looking at the receiving end; Fig. 3 is a top view, partly in section on the line 33, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4: is a View as seen when looking at the discharge end.

The device includes a casing, preferably circular in cross-section, formed with a comparatively large receiving-cham er 5 and valve-chamber 6, the walls 7 and 8 of which are turned inwardly at the complementary ends, and connected to, or integrally formed with, a wall 9 of a contracted mixing-chamber 10, whereby there is provided a continuous passage through the device. The device is arranged to be interposed in, and to form a part of, an exhaust-conduit, by means of a coupling member 11 at the entrance end of the receiving-chamber formed by a longitudinal extension from an inwardlyturned portion of wall 7, and a coupling member 12 at the discharge end of the valve-chamber formed by a longitudinal eX- tension from an inwardly-turned portion of wall 8. The circumferential wall of the mixingchamber is inclined or converged inwardly, or contracted, for a portion of its length between the receiving and valve chambers, as shown at 9*. Tightly connected to, or integrally formed with, the coupling member 11 is an annular member or conduit 13, constituting a continuance of the passage through the coupling member. The member 13 extends to, or nearly to, or projects slightly into, the space comprehended by the converged wall of the mixing-cham er. There is an annular passage 141 between the free end of member 13, which end is exteriorly beveled as shown at 13, and the converged wall of the mixing-chamber; and there is an annular space or jacket 15 between member 13 and the wall of the receiv ing-chamber, from which liquid may be drawn through passage 1-1: as a result of flow of fluids through member 13. The convergence or inclination of the Wall of the mixing-chamber is such that part of the fluids discharged from member 13 strikes that wall and liquid flowing from passage 1%, cross currents are produced, and a mixture of gaseous and liquid fluids is effected.

For the purpose of supplying liquid to jacket 15, there is provided a passage 16 leading preferably into the top of the jacket. This passage is formed by an annular wall or conduit 17 extending outwardly from the wall of the receiving-chamber. associated with this conduit by a screwthreaded connection at its free end is a frame 18, having thereon a seat 19, with which cooperates an inwardly-opening valve 20 arranged to close against fluid pressure from within the device and to open under oppositely-exerted influence. The valve has a stem 21 extending through a guideway in a cross member 22 of the frame, whereby the valve is guided in its motion, and the valve is limited in movement away from its seat by a stop on the stem capable of contact with the cross member. Laterally surrounding conduit 17, and opening thereto through its valve-controlled passage, is a liquid-receiving chamber 21 formed by a casing 25 extending outwardly from the wall of the receiving-chamber and separated from the conduit. Chamber 2% is supplied with liquid through lateral inlets 26 arranged for connection with a suitable liquid-supply conduit.

The liquid-receiving chamber is closed by a cap 27 removably associated with wall 25 by a screw-threaded connection at the free end of the wall, and the material of this cap is extended as a casing 28 to comprehend a vacuum-chamber 29, which is in communication with the liquid-receiving chamber. The vacuum-chamber contributes to produc tion of a uniform flow of liquid by preventing a tendency to rest inertia between ex haust impulses. The vacuum-chamber is provided at or near its top with a pet-cock 30, in order that air may be admitted thereto and accumulations of liquid therein permitted to drain to the liquid-receiving chamber. In the axial line of turning of cap 27 in connecting or disconnecting it from wall 25 there is formed on the outside of the vacuum-chamber casing a polygonal portion 31 for engagement by a turning-tool. It will be noted that, when the cap 27 is removed, easy access may be had to the valve frame 18, and that the frame and valve thereon may easily be removed and replaced.

Positioned in the line of movement of fluids from member 13 through the mixing- Removably.

chamber is a valve 32, arranged to open under the influence of fluid pressure in that chamber and permit discharge of fluids therefrom, and to close under the influence of atmospheric pressure. This valve cooperates with a seat 33 on the circumferential wall, preferably at the place where the wall of the mixing-chamber merges with that of the valve-chamber. The valve has a stem 34, which extends into a guideway of a frame 35, whereby the valve is guided in movement. The frame 35 comprises arms 36 radiating from a central portion or hub 37 and joined to, or integrally formed with, a ring 38 exteriorly screw-threaded to engage screw-threads in the coupling member 12, there being lugs or extensions 39 on the arms arranged to abut the inner end of the coupling member and limit the turning movement of the ring into the coupling.-

Interposed between the frame and valve and around the valve-stem are an outer coilspring tO, and an inner coil-spring -11. One

of these springs may be of less strength or tension than the other, or both may be of the same strength or tension. The outer spring is in contact with the valve and operates to press the latter against its seat; and the inner spring is shorter and normally out of contact with the valve, so that it has retarding effect on the opening movement of the valve, in addition to that of the outer spring. only when the valve has opened suflicientlv to come into contact with its end. The valvechaniber casing has therein an opening, preferably in the top, sufiicientlv large to permit access to and removal of valve 32. This opening is surrounded by an annular flange 4-2, in which is removably held. preferably by a screw-threaded connection, a plate or cap 43 closing the opening.

In actual practice, the device, when associated with an exhaust-conduit of an internal-combustion engine, has operated satisfactorily to produce a continuous flow of liquid and to increase materially the efficiency of the engine. Following is a description of the operation of, and actions within, the device, when associated with such an engine, which is given as an example of the general use to which the device may be put: The exhaust or pressure fluids from the engine enter the device under initial pressure and pass through the member 13, the mixing-chamber, and the valve chamber, and out of the deviceat the discharge end, the valve opening due to the inertia of the moving mass of fluids. The valve 20 prevents exhaust fluids on impulses into the device from passing into the liquidreceiving chamber 21 or reacting against fluids in that chamber and in the source of liquid supply; The principle of operation here is the utilization of the momentary pressure lapses caused by the intermittent expulsion of exhaust fluids, or a portion of them, and reduction of volume of gases remaining in the device. After an exhaust, or a portion thereof, is impulsively discharged from the device, there is a rebound or tendency of the atmosphere to flow into the device through the discharge end. Back flow is prevented by valve 32 closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, and the engine thereby is relieved of the necessity of initially overcoming atmospheric pressure on the next exhaust. l/Vhen the exhaust fluids pass into the device, they usually are of two or more atmospheric pressures, and they force out, when the engine is started, whatever air there is in the device and exhaust-conduits. When the exhaust fluids enter the device, there is an immediate subsidence in volume resulting from the lowering of temperature due to contact with cooler parts and a tendency of the atmosphere to flow in to fill the partial vacuum caused by such subsidence. Back flow is prevented by the closing of valve 32 on account of the rebound effect mentioned or by both that and the subsidence. It has been found that atmospheric pressure closes valve 32 prior to a complete cycle of exhaust. The partial vacuum, therefore, is effective to induce flow from the exhaust source and thereby not only initially to relieve the engine on an exhaust impulse of the effect of atmospheric pressure, but also to produce a pullof fluids therefrom; and it also is effective on fluids in the liouid-supply means. That is, there is a tendency of fluids to flow not only from the engine, but also from the liquid-supply source, and under this tendency the valve 20 opens and a flow of liquid is induced through the passage 16, the jacket 15, and passage 14-, and this vacuum action continues during successive exhaust impulses, particularly when the device is used with a slow-speed engine. Further, there is an inductive effect on the liquid source resulting from the expulsion of exhaust fluids from the member 13 into the mixing-chamber, as fluids impelled through that member have a drawing effect on the fluids surrounding it. In this manner, water may be drawn from the cooling jacket of an engine, or from any other desired source, as from the bilge of a boat, for example, and discharged outwardly of the device with exhaust fluids.

About three-sevenths of the product of combustion of a mixture of air and gasolene or similar fuels used in the operation of internal-combustion engines is water in an attenuated or gaseous form. As Water from jacket 15 is drawn through passage 14 it is mixed with the exhaust fluids expelled from &

member 13, as already described. That part of the exhaust fluids that is attenuated water or steam is liquefied, and there re. sults a subsidence of volume in addition to that caused by the cooling effect of the parts. Thus it Will be seen that the exhaust and cooling fluids are subject to a pull in addition to that occurring on initial movement of an exhaust into the device. Of course, the liquid flowing through the jacket 15 around member 13 operates to keep the temperature of that member below what it otherwise would be, whereby exhaust fluids sustain a reduction of temperature as soon as they enter the device. It is estimated that the reduction of exhaust volume resulting from mixture of water with the exhaust is about three-'sevenths. The remaining gases, principally nitrogen, also are reduced in volume in consequence of the absorption of heat on contact with water. Probably there is a difference of 100 degrees centigrade in the exhaust fluids between an engine exhaust-port and the discharge end of the device, and that difference alone would cause a reduction in volume of about onethird the total volume of exhaust. Thus it will be seen that partial vacuums are produced in the device by the closing of valve 32 under the influence of atmospheric pressure, the lowering of temperature resulting from contact of exhaust fluids with cooled parts and mixture with water, and liquefaction of the water content of the exhaust fluids, and that the device is eifective to produce the results stated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. A device of the kind described having a mixing-chamber, a member arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, a liquid-jacket surrounding said member, a passage from said jacket to said mixingchamber, a liauid supply passage communieating with said jacket, a vacuum-chamber in communication with said liquid-supply passage, and a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket through said liquid-supply passage and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction.

2. A device of the kind described having a mixingchamber formed with a contracted wall, a member arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, a liquid-jacket surrounding said member, a passage from said jacket to said mixing-chamber, a liquidsupply passage communicating with said jacket, a vacuum-chamber in communication with said liquid-supply passage, and a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket through said liquid-supply passage and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction.

. extending outwardly of the Wall of said re-' 3. A device of the kind described having a receiving-chamber, a mixing-chamber, a member extending through said receivingchamber and arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, the Walls of said receiving-chamber and said member inclosing a liquid-jacket, a passage from said liquid-jacket to said mixing-chamber, a conduit inclosing a passage opening into said liquid-jacket and having an annular Wall ceiving-chamber, Within said conduit a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction, and a liquid-receiving chamber surrounding said conduit and in communication therewith and provided with a liquid-inlet.

4. A device of the kind described having a receiving-chamber, a mixing-chamber, a member extending through said receivingchamber and arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, the Walls of said receiving-chamber and said member inclosing a liquid-jacket, a passage from said liquid-jacket to said mixing-chamber, a conduit inclosing a passage opening into said liquid-jacket and having an annular Wall extending outwardly of the Wall of said receiving-chamber, Within said conduit a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction, a casing laterally surrounding said annular Wall and separated therefrom and having therein a liquid inlet, a cap closing the end of said casing, and on said cap a vaciuun-chamber, said conduit and vacuum-chamber being in communication With the interior of said casing.

A device of the kind described having in combination a mixing-chamber, a member arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, in line of discharge from said member avalve permitting exit of fluids from said mixing-chamber and closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, a liquid'jacket surrounding said member, a passage from said jacket to said mixing-chamber, a liquidsupply passage communicating with said jacket, and a valve arranged to admit liquid to said jacket through said liquid-supply passage and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction.

6. A device of the kind described having in combination a mixing-chamber, a member arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, in line of discharge from said member a valve permitting exit of fluids from said mixing-chamber and closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, a liquid-jacket surrounding said member, a passage from said jacket to said mixing-chamber, a liquid-supply passage COII1 municating with said jacket, a vacuumchamber in communication With said liquidsupply passage, and a valve arranged to peunit liquid to enter said jacket through said liquid-supply passage and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction.

7. A device of the kind described having in combination a receiving-chamber, a mixing-chamber, a member extending through said receiving-chamber and arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chan'iber, in line of discharge from said member a valve permitting exit of fluids from said chamber and closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, the Walls of said receivingchamber and said member inclosing a liquid-space, a passage from said liquidspace to said mixing-chamber, a liquid-supply passage communicating with said liquidspace, and a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said space through said liquid-supply passage and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction.

8. A device of the kind described having in combination a receiving-chamber, a mixing-chamber, a member extending through said receiving-chamber and arranged to discharge fluid into said mixing-chamber, in line of discharge from said member a valve permitting exit of fluids from said mixingchamber and closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, the Walls of said receir'ingchamber and said member inclosing a liquid-jacket, a passage from said liquidjacket to said mixing-chamber, a conduit in closing a passage opening into said liquidjacket and having an annular Wall extending outwardly of the Wall of said receivingchamber, Within said conduit a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket and to close against fluid flow in the opposite direction, and a liquid-receiving chamber surrounding said conduit and in communication therewith and provided With a liquid-inlet.

9. A device of the kind described having in combination a receiving-chamber, a mixing-chamber, a member extending through said receiving-chamber and arranged to discharge fiuid into said mixing-chamber, in line of discharge from said member a valve permitting exit of fluids from said mixingchamber and closing under the influence of atmospheric pressure, the Walls of said receiving-chamber and said member inclosing a liquid-jacket, a passage from said liquid jacket to said mixing-chamber, a conduit inclosing a passe. e opening into said liquidjacket and having an annular Wall extending outwardly of the Wall of said receivingchamber, Within said conduit a valve arranged to permit liquid to enter said jacket and to close against fluid flow in the oppo site direction, a casing laterally surround ing said annular Wall and separated there- In testimony whereof, I affix my signature from and having therein da liquiddnlelt, a in presence of two Witnesses. ca closin the end of sai casin anc on o said cap a casing inclosing a vacui im-cham- JOQEPH MARION RING 5 her, said conduit and vacuum-chamber be- Witnesses:

ing in communication with the interior of IRA J. CARTER, said casing. INEZ HILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

